Monday, May 31, 2010

“Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I to honor dead Americans from all wars.”

I think this Memorial Day, we need to also remember and honor all our men in the service who are risking their lives for their country.

My father waited until he turned 18 and finished high school before he enlisted in the Navy, some time in May of 1944. After basic training (most likely in the Midwest) he shipped out of San Diego, California.

During roll call each morning, they would yell out your first two initials and then your last name. I remember my father telling me that is how his buddies gave him his nickname “Jan” because it sounded like his initials, “JN.”

I remember one story he told about when his ship was being attacked, gunned by the Japanese. The guy standing next to him on deck got hit, he looked over at dad and dropped. I can remember exactly where I was when my father told me this story. I was in the pool and he was on his plastic strap lounger laying on his tummy baking in the sun. We were studying WW II in school and I was asking lots of questions. He, like so many men of the greatest generation, never spoke about or brought up his war years.

My father died young. He was the same age I will be later this year. This Memorial Day, I remember and honor my father.

Sprocket, I so enjoyed your story about your dad. I am blessed to still have my father alive. He served in WWII as well and joined at 18. I grew up seeing pictures of my father in his uniform, but frankly,never thought about it and just took it for granted. He, as you mentioned, never spoke about it. This Memorial Day I called and was chatting with him and said "dad, I am sorry I never thanked you for what you did. I grew up just accepting it without really giving it any thought and I am sorry it has taken me so long to say that." He said..."Like all of us at that time we were just doing our duty and it was an honor." God Bless all our Servicemen, past, present and future.

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